Cambridge cafe complains about rising cost of putting chairs and tables outside

Cafe owners in Cambridge are complaining that the rising cost of putting chairs and tables on the pavement is making it harder to make ends meet.

Cambridgeshire County Council charges businesses in the city centre an annual fee of £100 per square metre, saying it has to cover maintenance and enforcement costs.

The council introduced the new rules two years ago, replacing the flat fee of £315 that they had charged previously.

Benet's Cafe on Kings Parade in Cambridge have seen their outdoor seating costs rise fourfold.

Benet's owners now pay £1,025 per year to put four tables outside their cafe – compared to £315 previously. On top of that there is a £250 admin charge.

The cafe would need to sell 360 extra cups of coffee each year to cover the additional cost. The more likely outcome is that they will put their prices up.

Under the council rules, businesses outside Cambridge city centre only have to pay £50 per square metre - half as much.

The council say the price hike in Cambridge city centre needs to be seen in the context of £50 million of cuts they are facing.

Charges in other areas:

• Bedford Borough Council charge an annual fee of £313 for Authorising Tables and Chairs on the Highway

• Northamptonshire Council charge an annual fee of £200 for cafes placing up to 4 seats on the pavement; £240 for between 5 and 10 seats; £350 for between 11 and 16 seats; and £560 for between 16 and 24 seats. Cafes with 25 seats and above are considered on an individual basis.

Click the link below to watch Chloe Keedy's report.